Time for a biggie.
After only three games in match week 11 we are essentially treated to a nine game match week. With games from round 11 and 12 taking place it’s easier to bundle them all together otherwise it gets confusing for everyone. That’s the A-League for you though.
There isn’t a lot of kiwi interest during this match week with the Black Knights having the bye after playing on New Years Day and the Nix opening the match week on Friday in Melbourne.
Plenty of teams have double headers for this match week so I’ve picked a few out we’re going to focus on and hope to watch some winners in the new year.
We will have to see how Melbourne City go away to Central Coast on New Years Eve but regardless of the result, playing Melbourne City at home is a tough ask for anybody.
The Nix snapped their three game losing streak with a 2-1 over the Jets with Kosta Barbarouses scoring one from nearly half-way to bring up his 99th A-League goal and Paulo Retre scored a rocket.
Without a proper centre back it’s hard to see Cheify’s squad keeping a clean sheet.
Both teams play on New Years Day and then need to back it up three days later when they face-off in Melbourne.
Squad rotation and managing players minutes is a huge focus for managers this time of year so it will be interesting to see what line-ups both teams put out.
Sitting only three points ahead on the table I think this will be a closer fixture than the odds suggest.
Adelaide United get the advantage of extra rest when they take on the Macarthur Bulls who have a fixture on the 1st of Jan.
Adelaide United are doing their best to keep up with Auckland at the top. In any other circumstance I’d say the Bulls are right in this and Adelaide still haven’t convinced me that they’re a top team.
But with the quick turnaround for the Bulls, I think Adelaide will be too strong.
Newcastle Jets are one of the sides with a double header, first taking on Sydney at home then they travel to Queensland to take on the Roar.
The Roar are still yet to win a game and will also be backing up after they host the Mariners on the 3rd of Jan.
Maybe the new year will bring a little bit of hope for the Roar who haven’t had any answers for anything this season.
Perth Glory play on the 3rd and then head to Sydney to take on the Sky Blues to finish off the match week.
Both of these sides have double headers but at the end of the day, Sydney and their depth should be too strong.
After a long week I wouldn’t be surprised to see the quality of defending take a bit of a dip and we get to watch some goals.